Pufferfish are among the loved families in the aquarium community due to their charming personality. many people enjoy keeping the fish.
Our most popular Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish be found in different environments between saltwater and freshwater. This makes them more interesting and interesting to raise and keep. A selection of the best 15 freshwater pufferfish can be found below.
There are only a handful of kinds that belong to freshwater pufferfish that are not able to share their aquarium with other fishes.
Pufferfish belong to the most popular families of aquarium enthusiasts due to their diverse personalities, shapes and sizes.
Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
Certain pufferfish (Green Spotted Puffer the Figure 8 Puffer, and Green Spotted Puffer) begin in freshwater as puffers. However, they’ll develop into saltwater fish or brackish-water fish. They are not genuine freshwater puffers.
A pet fish can be a wonderful source of companionship and also brighten the room when they are swimming in the aquarium’s water.
It is possible to branch out into something a little more challenging like owning and looking for pufferfish in freshwater.
When you move your fish to an aquarium, ensure the size of your tank is sufficient to contain their charm and personality.
Let’s take a look at the top varieties of freshwater pufferfish in no specific order prior to you begin making measurements and preparing your water parameters.
Small Size But Big Bite: Congo Puffer
The name of Congo Puffer Congo Puffer is often linked to the potato, and that’s the reason why we call them the Potato Puffer.
The pufferfish of this type can fool people into thinking it’s a saltwater variety because of their color, however the reality of the fact is that they are real freshwater puffers.
Congo Puffers Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
Congo Puffers Congo Puffers can come in various colors ranging from vibrant yellow to light brown like potatoes. Even sweet potatoes have an orange appearance to them. The fishes can grow to 18 centimeters (7.1 inches).
Congo Puffer is found within the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additionally, they prefer their tank temperatures to be within the between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius. The pH should range within 6.5 to 7.5.
Like we said, puffers should be kept out of the vicinity of other fishes. This one isn’t any different as they can be very prey. They may nip at other fish’s fins or eat smaller fish.
Different From A Lot Of The Rest: Schoutedeni Puffer
Schoutedeni Puffer Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
It is the Schoutedeni Puffer (or the Spotted Congo Puffer) is an invasive pufferfish that is breeding in aquariums. Breeding the Schoutedeni Puffer could be difficult, but it can be done.
Some Mystery: The Cross River Puffer
Cross River Puffer Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
The next item on this list might contain a little mystery. It is called the Cross River Puffer could be one of the biggest pufferfishes for pets that you could discover, as it could attain a length of 30 and 35 centimeters (11.8 11.8 to 13.8 inches) at the time of their adulthood.
The pH levels don’t cause any problems for this puffer. So, you can set them a range of between 6.8 to 7.8 in temperature, ranging between 23 and 27 deg Celsius.
It is a challenge to locate one, as they are scarce and live only within the Nigerian State also known as Cross River in Africa.
Not Like The Others: Figure 8 Puffer
Figure 8 Puffer Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia are the locations where this fashionable black figure 8 pufferfish is found.
The maximum length is 8cm (3.5 inches) They prefer temperatures between 22 and 26 ° Celsius. They are not a good match with other fish since they love to bite the fins off of fishes.
While they may be advertised as freshwater fish, it isn’t the case in all cases. When in nature, especially as they age they are prone to moving towards brackish waters. This is why they aren’t real freshwater puffers.
Size Matters: MBU Puffers
MBU Puffers Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
MBU Puffers aren’t just huge in personality They are also massive in size, with 70 centimeters (27.6 inches) and making them the biggest species of pufferfish found in freshwater.
The best method to ensure that these animals stay in the home environment is to install an extremely big tank. Something bigger than 20 gallons might suffice. It is best to place them in a pool.
Although the likelihood of having one are slim because of their size, it might be worth it as they can be gorgeous.
They prefer their water temperature to range between 24 and 27 degree Celsius. They are found within Burundi, Cameroon, Congo Republic, Tanzania, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Non-Scale Looking Ones: Hairy Puffer
Hairy Puffer Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
One of the most authentic freshwater puffers are the Hairy Puffers, which reside in Laos and Thailand They can reach 15 centimeters (5.9 inches). They also don’t care about the pH levels, and any range between 6.5 to 7.5 is ideal for them.
In addition, they are avid about their aquarium’s temperature, which is somewhere between 24-27 degrees Celsius.
They are however not team players as they eat everything smaller than themselves and nibble the fins of creatures that are larger than them. They appear to have hair on their bodies which is why they are called.
Little One Goes A Long Way: Amazon Puffer
Amazon Puffer Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
If you’re looking to get an adorable pet, it is possible that you should consider the Amazon (or South American) Puffer might be the perfect choice. The species of puffer that is a bit smaller and can reach 14cm (5.5 inches) and is among the easiest fish to take care of.
The name suggests they are located within South American countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Peru and in the region of Amazon River.
This is why they choose to drink water with acid. Thus, having a pH between 6 to 7.2 will do the trick. The temperature can vary between 20 and 28, Celsius.
Amazon Puffers might be able to be part of other fish within the aquarium, however everything is contingent on their individual. So, placing them in together with other fish is risky.
Hairless Hairy Puffer: Pig Nose Puffer
Pig Nose Puffer Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
The Hairy Puffer has caught your attention however you’re not a fan of the appearance of your pet fish to look like a hairball the Pig Nose Fish could be for you. They can be located in Laos as well as Thailand and can reach an average size of 15cm (6 inches).
They are focused at the pH levels that is between 7 and 8 and the temperature between 24 and 28 ° Celsius.
Epic Name For A Cute Fish: Dragon Puffer
Dragon Puffer Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
Dragon Puffer Dragon Puffer is also known as the Humpback Puffer. They can attain the size of 21cm (8.3 inches). Countries such as Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Malaysia are the areas they prefer to take a dip in.
They are genuine freshwater puffers who prefer their pH to range between 7 and 8, with temperatures ranging between 24 and 28 ° Celsius.
Another Big One: Fahaka Puffer
Fahaka Puffer Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
The Fahaka Puffer is a different massive Pufferfish because it has an average size of 45cm (17.7 inches).
It is believed that the Nile River, as well as the other smaller rivers located in Africa are the areas the Puffers reside in. Fahaka Puffers are fond of temperatures between 24-26 degrees Celsius and prefer to bathe in alkaline water. Thus, the pH of the water needs to be between 7 and 8.
Another To A Short (Breeding) List: Ocellated Puffer
Ocellated Puffer Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
A smaller, authentic freshwater puffer is the Ocellated Puffer which can grow to 15cm (6 inches). These tiny puffers are found throughout India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The pH that is most suitable for them best is the neural level, which is around 7.
Their preference for temperature ranges is between 25 to 27 degrees Celsius. Ocellated Puffers share a lot that is similar to Schoutedeni Puffers that is that they can also be raised in aquariums.
However, they are not as common, the Ocellated Puffers could be even more difficult to find as they are also more difficult to locate.
Feisty Little Ones: Pea Puffer
Pea Puffer Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
The Pea Puffer could also be referred to as “the Pygmy Puffer”. But, “pea” is a better description for this kind of fish as the maximum size of this fish is a adorable 2cm (0.8 inches).
They prefer the slightly acidic pH, so 6.5 to 7.5 and an average temperature of 23-27 degrees Celsius that is appropriate for them.
India can be where the tiny children are happiest and they are sometimes a bit boisterous. But, to ease them into a calmer state you could place them in the company of their friends.
Apart from their size, another advantage to having the Pea Puffer is the fact that it won’t need to wear them down as well as feeding blood worms. However, tiny snails appear to be their most popular.
A Fish Carnivore: Green Target Puffers
Green Target Puffer Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
They are the Green Target Puffers like to wander around the entire area of Africa and in spite of they swim in rivers like the Nile.
The maximum they could attain in the Nile is 12.7cm (5 inches). Additionally, they prefer their pH levels to be between 7 and. 5. This can make it slightly acidic.
Carnivores are by nature, which means they devour everything they come across, from snails, worms and even other fishes.
They should not be when you are in a fish school unless you are looking for a blood bath. Their diet is based on living foods like insects.
Window To The Soul: Red Eye Puffer
Red Eye Puffer Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
The red eye puffer is a real freshwater puffer. They love diving throughout Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Their size can be up at 6.5 millimeters (2.6 inches) and they enjoy temperatures ranging from between 24 and 28 degree Celsius which is more acidic conditions in the water. So, ensure you have a pH between 5.5 or 6.5.
There is a wide variety in Red Eye Pufferfish which are classified under the term. They’re similar to each the other, however, there have some distinct differences, such as that of the Red Eye Puffer that has red eyes and only that of a Red Eye Puffer that has eyes that are red and a red tail, just to mention some.
They also tend to become exhausted. So, making sure their room isn’t overcrowded and that they’re together with other Red Eye Puffers might be the best for them.
They Will Grow Out Of It: Green Spotted Puffer
Green Spotted Puffer Colorful Freshwater Pufferfish
The Green Spotted Puffer is the final pufferfish in this list. It isn’t a freshwater puffer.
While they are born in freshwater or brackish waters but as they age they turn into a complete saltwater fish. A Green Spotted adult Puffer in freshwater can end in death.
They can reach 17 centimeters (6.7 inches), Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The temperature they prefer is between 22 and 26 ° Celsius.